Pals Paper Arts 100th Challenge...Your Favorite Technique

Pals Paper Arts is celebrating its 100th Challenge in grand style! Playing at PPA this week is your entry to win an amazing jackpot of blog candy - something from every member of the Design Team! Our challenge is simply to show us your favorite technique.  It can be anything you enjoy doing from embossing to masking to water coloring...the list is endless!  One lucky winner will be randomly selected from everyone who uploads a card to Challenge 100.  Make certain to visit all of the Design Team members to see what they are offering.  But remember...if you do not play you cannot win!

It's Snow Much Fun to Do Emboss Resist

This quick and easy card receives its vintage vibe from the Emboss Resist technique...one of my favorites! With his Pearl snowball poised for action, this "fluffy" snowman from Snow Much Fun is ready for a little mischief!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips: Emboss Resist

•  Magnifique technique in 3 easy steps:  1)  Ink your image with VersaMark and stamp onto card stock.  I used Naturals Ivory for a vintage look.  2)  Heat emboss with White Stampin' Emboss Powder. 3) Ink a Stampin' Sponge with Crumb Cake ink and swirl over the surface of the image using a circular motion.  How easy is this!  I know that I have included this Video Tutorial from my archives in several posts.  But just in case you need to revisit it, just click HERE.

•  Just right for a snowball fight!  Add a touch of whimsy with a Basic Pearl snowball and Basic Pearl buttons.

• A touch of vintage country charm! Cross-stitching is so easy with the Dotted Scalloped Ribbon Border Punch and Linen Thread.  Add a Cherry Cobbler Designer Button and a snippet of Victoria Crochet Trim, and your quick and easy vintage country card is complete!

Ann's Contribution to the PPA Blog Candy Extravaganza

I will be contributing Whisper White 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Sweet Summer Sale-A-Bration Clear Stamp Set, and over 80 6" x 6" sheets of retiring Designer Series Paper.

Remember, one randomly selected winner will be receiving the candy from ALL of the Design Team members.  Don't forget to stop by their blogs to see what goodies they have selected for you.  And don't forget to upload your project to be eligible to win!

Win Today's Card

So, what did you think of today's quick and easy emboss resist card?  Please let me know in your comment today...and you could WIN MY CARD!  I will randomly select one winner from all comments left today to receive today's challenge card! And remember, if you ever have a question about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Until next time...

Stamp Set:  Snow Much Fun (W 122560, C 122562); Inks:  VersaMark (102283), Crumb Cake (121030), Soft Suede (115657) Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker (120973); Card Stock:  Naturals Ivory (101849), Always Artichoke (105119), Cherry Cobbler (119685); Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976), Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275), Heat Tool (100005), White Stampin' Emboss Powder (109132);  Glitz and Glam:  Victoria Crochet Trim (118481), Basic Pearls (119247)

A PPA Peek

It's time for a peek at this week's Pals Paper Arts challenge card.  Hmm...What could this week's challenge be?  While waiting for Thursday's reveal, why not check out this week's Pals Artist Picks.  And don't forget that in celebration of our 100th challenge, we do have something special planned for those who participate this week.  If you have never played with us before, this week would be an excellent one in which to begin.  You'll see why tomorrow!

Would you like this card?

I will randomly select a lucky recipient from everyone who leaves a comment on today's post! So please, won't you leave me a comment? Your comments are so very important to me!

Last Chance List Reminder

Don't forget...there are only two more days to order from the Last Chance Lists.  Please don't miss out on that special stamp set or accessory!

Click HERE to access the LAST CHANCE STAMPS list.
Click HERE to access the LAST CHANCE ACCESSORIES list.

Click HERE to access the DEFINITELY DECORATIVE list.

 

Please remember that the Accessories list is subject to change. Every item may not be available.  Until next time...

Fun in the Sun with The Paper Players

It's Sunday and time to play with The Paper Players! This week is a fabulous sketch challenge that is sure to get those creative juices flowing.  So ink up those stamps and join us!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips: Fun, Fun, Fun

• Fun stamps deserve fun colors! A Lucky Limeade card base, with Tempting Turquoise and Melon Mambo Designer Papers, just screams fun in the sun!  Blender Pens and a cacophony of colors are used to watercolor tasty treats, fabulous flip-flops, and a quartet of cuties engaging in some aquatic fun! What color inks did I select? The list is long:  Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Island Indigo, Cherry Cobbler, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, Marina Mist, Pool Party, Peach Parfait, Chocolate Chip, Elegant Eggplant.

• Fun cards deserve fun embellishments!  A pinwheel with a Pear Pizzazz Glimmer Brad reinforces the summer fun theme! 

               A dash of Dazzling Diamonds adds a touch of glam. 

And of course, what is a pair of flip-flops without a Pearl...or two!



Today's card was certainly different from what I typically create!  "Sunny Fun", from the Summer Mini, was a set that my son, Brady, selected.  He gave this card his "stamp of approval", citing its bright colors as the major reason he liked it.  As for me...I'm still a vintage gal at heart, but it was fun to stretch beyond my comfort zone for a change.  And with the rainy season as it is in Iowa, this card may be as close to "Fun in the Sun" as I get!  So what do you think?  Please let me know in your comment today.  And of course...if you have questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away!

The Paper Players Design Team

Anne Marie Hile

Jaydee

Lauri Ingram

LeAnne Pugliese

Nance Leedy

Sandra Azzopardi

Cindy Beach

Lesley Croghan

 

Happy Hundredth Challenge to Pals Paper Arts

This Thursday marks Pals Paper Arts one-hundredth challenge, and to celebrate the Design Team has planned something special for all of you who will be participating by entering into our challenge.  Be sure to tune in Thursday to see what we have in store!  Until next time...

Stamp Set: Sunny Fun (W 123040, C 123042---Summer Mini);  Inks:  Crumb Cake (121030), Basic Gray (109120), Island Indigo (122937), Cherry Cobbler (119669), Melon Mambo (115656), Daffodil Delight (119667), Lucky Limeade (122935), Tangerine Tango (111834), Basic Black (101179), Marina Mist (119668), Pool Party (122938), Peach Parfait (119783), Chocolate Chip (100908), Elegant Eggplant (105210), Jet Black StazOn (101406);  Designer Series Paper:  Pawsitively Prints II (117396), Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack---Brights (117155);  Card Stock:  Lucky Limeade (122926---Available July 1st), Whisper White (100730);  Tools:  Word Window Punch (119857); Glitz and Glam:  Dazzling Diamonds (102023), In-Color Glimmer Brads (121005), Basic Pearls (119247)

Buried Treasure---Retiring Stamp Set Edition

It's Friday and time for  Buried Treasures, a feature where we revisit notable cards from the archives.  However, since we are in the final days of The Last Chance sale, I wanted to take one more Friday to revisit a few more of the retiring stamp sets.  Some of these cards may not be Buried Treasures...but they do allow us to take one more look at some of our old friends.  The link above each card will take you to the original post and the card details.  Enjoy this sentimental journey!

Friends 24-7

Dream Gardens

Dream Gardens 2

Razzle Dazzle

Razzle Dazzle 2

Last Chance Lists

Click HERE to access the LAST CHANCE STAMPS list.
Click HERE to access the LAST CHANCE ACCESSORIES list.

Click HERE to access the DEFINITELY DECORATIVE list.

Please remember that the Accessories list is subject to change.  Every item may not be available.

Card Winner

The randomly selected winner of the PPA Stars Challenge card and the Nature Walk card is:  #20  Samara Rachel Navi.  Here is what Samara said:

OK, now this is the most bizarre sneek peek I've seen to date. You have me TOTALLY stumped AND I LOVE IT! I can hardly wait to see what you have created...it will be fantastic...I KNOW IT!

Samara...just email your address to me and I will drop these cards in the mail! Your comments are important to me and I would like to thank everyone who left a comment for me!  As always...if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away!  Until next time...

Oh My Stars for PPA 99

Today's Pals Paper Arts challenge is Clean and Simple Elements of Style..."Stars"! We are simply asking that you use stars on your project this week. Use one or use a galaxy of them...the choice is yours. How easy is that! I can't wait to see what you create!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips: Keepin' It Easy!

• Seeing stars before your eyes?  Cherry Cobbler and Night of Navy stars are quickly created using the Stars #2 Originals Die and the Big Shot.  They are randomly adhered to Whisper White card stock and zipped through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder in the Embedded Embossing technique.  Steppin' It Up:  Distress the edges with a Sponge Dauber and add instant speckles with your Color Spritzer Tool!

• Heat it up!  The Sail Away image was inked with VersaMark and heat embossed with Black Stampin' Emboss Powder.  This makes the image "pop".  Steppin' It Up:  If time is not a limited resource, the image can be watercolored.

• Add a "Wow-ee"!  A single large Cherry Cobbler star is juxtapositioned on the image and starred background.  A Jumbo Pewter Eyelet smack-dab in the middle draws in the eye! Unfortunately, these eyelets are now sold-out on Last Chance Accessories list. Steppin' It Up:  Distress the edges or add a smidge of Glass Glitter.  Or how about popping a Pearl into the center?

As always, your comments are important to me, and I would love to share my cards with you!   From all comments left today and yesterday, I will randomly select one person to receive not only today's challenge card, but also this card featuring the bird from Nature Walk:

I will  name the winner in my next post.  And don't forget...if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques  I use, I am only an email away! Until next time...

Stamp Set:  Sail Away (123013---Summer Mini);  Inks:  VersaMark (102283); Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler (119685), Night of Navy (100867), Whisper White (100730), More Mustard (100946);  Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Stars #2 Original Die (113461), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976),  Heat Tool (100005); Glitz and Glam: Jumbo Pewter Eyelets (108432  Not Available)

A Peek at the PPA

Wednesday always means it's time to take a peek at my Pals Paper Arts challenge card.  I hope that you will join me tomorrow for the reveal.  And I also hope you will stop by Pals Paper Arts to see this week's Pals Artist Picks.  Congratulations to the winners!

Your comments are important to me, and I would love to share my cards with you!  My challenge card features embedded embossing, one of my favorite techniques.  What about you?  What is one of YOUR favorite techniques?  From all comments left today and tomorrow, I will randomly select one person to receive not only the challenge card, but also this card featuring the bird from Nature Walk:

And remember, if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away!  Until next time...

Live Life for The Paper Players

It's Sunday and time to play with The Paper Players in our Clean and Simple Sketch Challenge.  For my card today, I decided to create a birthday card for my husband, Kim.  I pulled out a set that is perfect for creating a vintage look, Extreme Elements, and paired it with the Crown from Artistic Etchings.  As for the sentiment...it is from You're a Gem!  I hope you enjoy today's card!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips: Simple with Pizzazz!

•  Draw attention to a focal image with a Windowpane! Images from Extreme Elements were inked with Soft Suede and stamped onto Very Vanilla.  A few Watermarks from French Foliage were added to complete the vintage look.  But the pièce de résistance is the Beveled Windowpane which emphasizes the Crown image from Artistic Etchings.

• Sensational sentiment! Create a pennant by flagging one end and curling the other!

• Little details add up! Safety Pins from the Vintage Trinkets collection hold Baja Breeze Seam Binding in place.  Edges are distressed courtesy of the Seven Sided Tool.  And a fabulous pattern from Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper adds a touch of class!

I hope you enjoyed today's Clean and Vintage card.  This was the first time I have used a Beveled Windowpane. What do you think?  Doesn't that crown just "pop" off the page?  Won't you please leave me a comment and let me know what you think?  And as always, I LOVE sharing the details behind my cards.  So if you ever have a question about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away!  Until next time...

Stamp Sets:  Artistic Etchings (W 118517,  C 120573), Extreme Elements (115181), French Foliage (W 120845, C 121166), You're a Gem (W 122268, C 122270);  Inks:  Soft Suede (115657),  Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker (120973);  Designer Series Paper:  Elegant Soiree (117163);  Card Stock:  Baja Breeze (111352), Very Vanilla (101650), Soft Suede (115318);  Tools:  Cutter Kit (106958), Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Sponge Dauber (102892); Glitz and Glam:  Baja Breeze Seam Binding (122331), Vintage Trinkets (118764), Hemp Twine (100982), Beveled Windowpanes (121881)

Snow Much Fun for the PPA

It's Thursday and time to play the Pals Paper Arts challenge.  This week we are featuring a fabulous sketch by Margaret Moody.  For my Design Team card I opted to use a set which will be in Stampin' Up's  2011 - 2012 Idea Book and Catalog entitled "Snow Much Fun".  In addition, I used two of the new In-Colors, Pool Party and Calypso Coral and a snippet of Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper.  Enjoy!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips:  Keepin' It Fun

Keep your whimsical designs fun by...

• ...doing the Calypso at the Pool! Stampin' Up!'s newest colors, Coral Calypso and Pool Party add a fun and retro flair to this card, especially when paired with a snippet of Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper! Although these two colors are not found in the actual DSP, they coordinate nicely.

• ...cutting around a section of the image!  Here I cut around the top hat and the scarf.

• ...keeping it light! Just a hint of color has been added to the heat embossed images.  This allows the eye to focus on the image without distraction!

• ...adding a silly sentiment!  Flag the end and use it to spotlight a section of the image, in this case a little blue bird!

• ...creating your own whimsical embellishment! A snowflake made with the Northern Frost Sizzlit Decorative Strip Die is popped up on a punched Calypso Coral circle.  Topping off this duo is a heat embossed Bird on a Snowball, another one of the adorable images in this set.

I don't know about you, but I LOVE snowmen, and this new set is certainly adorable!  And what do you think about these new colors? Let me know in your comment today.  Of course, if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Until next time...

Stamp Set:  Snow Much Fun (W 122560,  C 122562);  Inks:  Pool Party (122938), Calypso Coral (122939), Basic Gray (109120), Daffodil Delight (119667), Soft Suede (115657); Designer Series Paper:  Just Add Cake (124339); Card Stock:  Whisper White (100730), Calypso Coral (122925), Pool Party (122924);  Tools:  Heat Tool (100005), Black Stampin' Emboss Powder (109133), Blender Pens (102845), Big Shot (113439), Northern Frost Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die (120901), 1-3/8" Circle Punch (119860)